﻿GAME OF CHESS, &C. 495 



say shall, shah, or kist, (the latter an Arabic word ;) 

 and when check-mated, they say shah-mat, which 

 means the king is conquered or (hiven to the last 

 distress ; or sometimes boord or burd, the prize is 

 gained or carried, though this expression is more 

 generally used wlien all tiie pieces are taken except 

 the king, and the game is consequently won. 



I shall now make some observations on the fore- 

 going games, and compare them with each other. 



As far as record is to be admitted in evidence^ tlie 

 first, or Hindoo game, above described, is the most 

 ancient, and, to my apprehension, it has great inter- 

 nal marks of antiquity, namely, the imperfections 

 incident to rudimental science. 



A view of the table, &c. will be sufficient to con- 

 vince any one who has tlie least knowledge of tac- 

 tics, or the science of chess, of the imperfections of 

 the Hindoo game. 



The weakest flank of each army is opposed to its 

 antagonists forte — and the piece in each army which 

 would be of most use on the flanks, is placed in a 

 situation wliere its operations are cramped ; and al- 

 though it appears^that two armies are allied against 

 the other two, yet the inconvenience of their battalia 

 in a great measure remains ; besides, it also appears 

 that each separate army has to guard against the 

 treachery of its ally, as well as against the common 

 enemy ; for it is recommended, and allowed to either 

 of the kings, to seize on the throne of his ally, that 

 he may obtain complete com.mand of both armies, 

 and prosecute conquest for himself alone. But if 

 the battalia were as perfect as in the European game, 

 the circumstance of usmg dice, to determine tlie 

 ' moves, IS fatal to the claim of pre-eminence, or of 

 science, which attaches to the European game, and 

 places the ancient Hindoo game on a level v.ith 

 back-ganmion, in which v.e-oiren see the most con- 

 summate abilities defeated by chance. 



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